| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Owl's Head, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Lincoln Woods Trail, Black Pond Trail, herd path, Lincoln Brook Trail, herd path, Owls Head Path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, December 29, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of space at Lincoln Woods at 7:30, same upon return |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Final two crossings before ascending Brutus were bridged well, check with changing conditions. Smaller tributaries were rock hoppable or a non issue |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A couple of new blowdowns just before summit |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Surprisingly a few floating around today |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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|
 | Comments: |
Typical mixed conditions from the rollercoaster of weather. Lincoln Woods was icy, with some snow pack. Seems to be the typical conundrum on Black Pond herd path...one track sticks to the classic route, another diverges up above. Classic route was packed out nicely. Lincoln Brook crossing on Lincoln Brook Trail is a nightmare, we were happy to not have to do it. Ice is not well formed, rocks are still heavily snow capped, and there didn’t look to be a pleasant way to cross higher up- or lower down stream. Lincoln Brook trail had no special notes other than this being the most on and off for snow cover. We chose to wear micro spikes from the car to the start of the Brutus path since it was inconsistent as far as it goes for bare mucky ground and snow. Brutus also had its usual issue of starting uphill waaaay too early. The most recent track is a bit squirrelly, but on our return we found the truest route was tracked out well. Snowshoes are so important for heading up Brutus. If not for the televators, than to help keep it in good shape. The track we found today was hashed out by a barebooter prior to the freeze, making for some real ankle twisting. Thankfully a group of six snowshoers followed behind us helping to make for a smoother return. One barebooter was ahead of us (who didn’t actually make it to the summit...sorry if you read this dude), and two others while we were hiking back down Owls Head Path. So while we remain hopeful that the track stayed in good shape, it’s probably not likely at this stage of the game. Remaining drifts along the summit ridge were pretty impressive, and still soft. Probably a good thing that bareboot guy didn’t make it to the summit. Yikes.
Still seem to be a lot of unprepared folks out there on the trails, and I’m not just complaining about the lack of snowshoes (at least carry them). Not a lot of homework being done before setting out into early winter conditions. |
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 | Name: |
bria, Eric |
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 | E-Mail: |
breahmaria@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-12-29 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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